fusillade

noun

fu·sil·lade | \ˈfyü-sə-ˌläd,

-ˌlād, ˌfyü-sə-ˈläd, -ˈlād, -zə-\

Definition of fusillade

1a : a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession

b : something that gives the effect of a fusillade a fusillade of rocks and bottles

2 : a spirited outburst especially of criticism

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Examples of fusillade in a Sentence

A fusillade of bullets filled the courtyard. responded calmly to the fusillade of criticism leveled at his design for the memorial

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the centuries, it has been modified, damaged and repaired — but always returned to full working order, even after taking a fusillade from German soldiers in World War II. — Marc Santora, New York Times, "One of the World’s Oldest Clocks Stops Ticking, Briefly," 18 Jan. 2018 In a joint statement announcing the agreement, Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the fusillade and indirectly elevated its profile among the factions struggling to rival Hamas’ hold on Gaza. — Noga Tarnopolsky, latimes.com, "Palestinian groups, acting alone, announce cease-fire with Israel after latest Gaza violence," 30 May 2018 His hyperbolic, stylized writing work was a gleeful fusillade of exclamation points, italics and improbable words. — Hillel Italie, BostonGlobe.com, "Tom Wolfe, pioneering ‘New Journalist,’ dies at 88," 15 May 2018 Wounded in the furious fusillade of bullets pouring from the auto the two officers had stopped was Officer Frank C. Reed, 24, who suffered chest and hand wounds. — Johnny Miller, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF police officer shot to death in gunbattle in 1968," 14 June 2018 Discussing trade at last week’s disastrous G7 summit in Quebec, Europe’s leaders met Donald Trump’s volley of insults and half-truths with a fusillade of facts. — The Economist, "Europe struggles to respond to Mr Trump," 14 June 2018 The initial fusillade of tariffs will likely do little damage to the United States, China or the global economy. — Paul Wiseman, The Seattle Times, "What you need to know about the upcoming U.S.-China tariffs," 2 July 2018 Or the fusillade of digital insults lobbed in this chaotic and unsettling time of ours. Debasement is no longer a means in politics. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, "In firing Chris Bosio, Detroit Tigers prove that words still matter," 28 June 2018 More than 40 shots were fired and when the fusillade was over and a deckhand, George W. Gordon, 210 Frisbie Street Oakland, had turned out the lights, the engineer was found critically wounded. — Johnny Miller, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF police officer shot to death in gunbattle in 1968," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fusillade.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.